Testimonials

Thank-you to the City of Edmonton and all of the individuals and partners that make Donate-a-Ride possible. The impact that your efforts have on the lives of our community members is incredible.

Bissell Centre supports families and individuals struggling with the damaging effects of poverty. As the cost of living continues to increase, access to transportation is an ongoing concern to many of those we help. Through Donate-a-Ride donations, we have been able to help people return to school, obtain gainful employment, prevent home eviction and attend often life-saving, medical appointments.

Recently, a young man came to Bissell Centre in desperate need of help to prevent being evicted from his home – picking bottles for the bus fare he needed to make it here. Meeting with one of our workers, we were able to connect him to Bissell services for resume writing and casual labour, as well as make him an appointment with Alberta Employment and Immigration to discuss his desire to return to school. All that was missing was the means to return home, attend his appointment for a chance at school and work. Through Donate-a-Ride, Bissell Centre was able to give the young man five tickets – one to go home, two for his appointment and two more for work.

By supporting Bissell Centre with bus tickets, this young man was able to receive funds to prevent his eviction, secure funding to return to school at Nor Quest and obtain work through our casual labour service to pay for food and transportation. Imagine – five bus tickets were all it took to prevent homelessness and secure a future.

“Thank you Bissell Centre, without your help with bus tickets I would never be able to keep all of my doctor’s appointment to stay alive.”
M.R.

“Without ID I couldn’t work. Without bus fare I couldn’t get my ID. Thank you for opening your hearts and the 2 tickets. I got a job now.”
L.G.

Valerie Dunbar
Director of Programs and Services
Bissell Centre
 

Dear Councillor Krushell,

We would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the 2011 DONATE A RIDE program. Our agency received 100 adult books of tickets to distribute to our clients. Access to assistance for public transportation costs is appreciated by those participating in our employment programs and greatly enhances their ability to be active in their job search within the city.

Once again thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Iris M. Saunders
Executive Director
 

We would like to thank you very much for the bus tickets that you provided us with for the 2010 year.

Partners for Kids and Youth supports families with children prenatal to 18 years of age in the Abbottsfield and Rundle area. Partners for Kids and Youth is an integrated team of professionals who provide a “one stop shop” for families. The team consists of a nurse, social workers, and a mental health therapist. Families can receive family or one on one counselling. We also provide groups. Some of the issues that we help families with are, food security, housing, poverty, family violence, addictions and child development and behaviour concerns.

Here is an example of how the tickets we received last year were used. We have a young family who accessed our services. The family has 4 young children. A couple of months ago the older child who is 5 years of age was admitted to the hospital and was very sick for a couple of weeks. We were able to provide the family with bus tickets so that they could make the daily trip to the Stollery hospital and back to visit their daughter. In addition we provided them with some other resources to help them through this situation.

The support we provide to families would not be possible without the support of the community and donations such as the bus tickets that you provided to us.

Thank you for supporting our program.

Yours sincerely,
Partners for Kids and Youth
 

On behalf of iHuman Youth Society we would like to thank the City of Edmonton Transit System for awarding iHuman Youth Society as a DONATE A RIDE agency recipient.

We appreciate the constant support and commitment that the City of Edmonton Transit System has shown throughout the years to helping some of our community’s most vulnerable and in-need citizens, the high risk you of Edmonton.

Each year, iHuman Youth Society continues to advance its mission of offering long term support and guidance for Edmonton’s high risk youth. Through exciting and unique arts based and outreach programs such as “Woven Journey”, “Uncensored”, and “Friday Night Challenge”, we have seen many lives changed for the better.

The goal of iHuman Youth Society is to continue addressing the needs of our youth, which will ultimately be of benefit to all of society. With the help of supporters such as the City of Edmonton Transit System, we will continue to see improvements to further our mission.
Thanks again for your generous support in our efforts to make a significant difference.

Best wishes,
Catherine Broomfield
Executive Director
 

We would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the 2010 DONATE A RIDE Program.  Our agency received 100 Adult books of tickets to distribute to our clients.  Access to assistance for public transportation costs is appreciated by those participating in our employment programs and greatly enhances their ability to be active in their job search within the city.

Once again, thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Iris M. Saunders
Executive Director
Employ Abilities
 

We at E4C would like to extend a large and heartfelt thank you for considering us as a recipient for the DONATE A RIDE Program.

Rest assured our programs reach those members of the Edmonton community that truly benefit from this service. We appreciate the opportunity this presents to our agency to help serve people in need better.

Thank you again for your fantastic work.

Sincerely,
Michael Farris, MS
Chief Executive Officer
E4C
 

On behalf of the staff and clients of Boyle Street Community Services, please accept my gratitude for once again selecting Boyle Street to receive bus tickets under the DONATE A RIDE program. We truly appreciate the co-operation of the DONATE A RIDE Committee and City of Edmonton staff in accommodating our request.

It is difficult to imagine how our agency could provide the services it does without the DONATE A RIDE program. Most of our clients have no access to transportation of any kind. Donated bus tickets make it possible for them to get to job interviews, medical appointments, educational opportunities, and other commitments that are essential to increasing their independence.

Julian Daly
Executive Director
Boyle Street Community Services
 

Congratulations to you and Councillors Anderson and Loken on another successful and remarkable campaign. It was a genuine please to be present at today’s ceremony to celebrate the generosity of Edmonton citizens and businesses toward this initiative.

We are grateful to have received a grant of tickets once again this year. A young man has been struggling to come to terms with the violent death of this cousin. Having found our agency through the Victim Services Unit, he has been attending one-to-one sessions with one of our therapists. The complex of difficulties he is experiencing have affected his ability to work, such that even the cost of bus fare is a challenge.

Although a couple of bus tickets a week may not seem like a lot of money to most people, to this man they are part of the lifeline that keeps him for help, building a new sense of hope and normalcy in his life.

DONATE A RIDE makes such a simple, direct, practical form of help possible. Your leadership and the efforts of your board are responsible.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Larry Derkach
Executive Director
 

Dear Councillor Krushell:

We are very grateful to the City of Edmonton for the tickets provided to us through the DONATE A RIDE Program. As you know, our women and children operate each month on a nominal amount of cash, so these tickets are a real boon.

Thank you.
Susan Smith
Director Development, La Salle
 

Dear Kim Krushell;
The Edmonton John Howard Society would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your recent donation of bus tickets through your DONATE A RIDE program.

These tickets will be put to great use in assisting those struggling through transitional phases in their lives. By providing these tickets, you’ve provided opportunities for our clients to get back on their feet and become more meaningfully involved in our communities. Specifically, the transit tickets will be used by clients to complete job and housing searches and to attend important interviews and appointments.

This years generous donation will be shared with our Family Violence Prevention Centre, Alternative learning program, REE*START and Intake and Employment. Assistance from organizations such as yours is essential in order for our programs to continue serving the people of our community in these ways. Our agency and, in turn, the clients we assist are greatly appreciative.

Yours truly,
Liz Lacika
Manager, Community Services
 

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), I want to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for the DONATE A RIDE ETS bus tickets we received today. These tickets are so important to enable some of our clients to access our services.

One of our organization’s core beliefs is that an inability to pay should never be a barrier to receiving help. Our counselling clients are able to access a highly specialized social worker, psychologist or Masters level therapist without fees being charged at SACE. Many of our clients are in a low income category and their own psychological well being must come after family housing and grocery demands are met. Frequently, there are not adequate family income funds for additional bus trips.

The DONATE A RIDE program is critical in assisting many clients to receive the help they need to begin to heal from the trauma of sexual assault.
Many thanks again for this wonderful program.

Sincerely,
Karen L. Smith
Executive Director
 

On behalf of our young families Terra serves, thank you very much for your donation of bus tickets.

Young parents face many challenges. Often they are living on their own in poverty. They have few people they can call upon for support and are struggling to complete High School. Despite these obstacles, at Terra, everyday we witness success. Teen parents have much potential.

We see young parents working hard to finish school. We see them learning positive parenting skills. We see them making good decisions that help create brighter lives for themselves and their children.

With support from the community, young families will have promising futures.

Sincerely,
Karen Mottershead
Executive Director
Terra Centre
 

On behalf of the kids and youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Edmonton we thank you for your generous and continued support of our programs through the DONATE A RIDE Program.

Your support ensures that our six full-time and three part-time clubs and many other programs will continue to be a safe and supportive place for needy children and youth. The smallest gestures can make the biggest difference in the life of a child. Sometimes it can be something we said, something we did or simply the fact we made the time to show interest in their life. Thank you for showing a child that they matter and that someone cares.

Caring about at-risk youth is what Boys & Girls Clubs of Edmonton is all about. We couldn’t have done it without you. THANK YOU!

Your support is invaluable to our programming.

Sincerely,
Victoria Powluk
Manager Donor Relations & Special Appeals
 

Dear Ms. Krushell,

On behalf of Chrysalis, I would like to thank you for your recent contribution of tickets through your DONATE A RIDE program.

Chrysalis is a non~profit organization assisting persons with disabilities to achieve their employment, volunteer and recreational goals in Edmonton and Calgary. We are funded through the provincial government, private gifts and donations, and proceeds from the sale of our manufactured wood and plastic products. Our vision is that people with disabilities are accepted by and included in society for their abilities to contribute, and have the same rights and privileges as all citizens.

Chrysalis encourages all of their clients to be active in their communities. Thanks to support from programs such as the DONATE A RIDE Program, our clients are continuing to partner and enhance our community by doing the activities they love.

Chrysalis is proud and honored to have the support of so many. Once again, thank you for your generosity and best wishes.

Mae Beck
Intake Service Coordinator
Chrysalis
 

Dear DONATE A RIDE -

Just a short note to thank you for your donation of bus tickets for the children and families of ABC Head Start. The City is to be commended for their commitment to the vulnerable population and for providing some means of emergency transportation.

Kathy Lenihan
Executive Director, ABC Head Start
 

On behalf of the Huntington Disease Resource Centre, I would personally like to thank you for the continued support we receive from the DONATE A RIDE Program.

Throughout the year I assist those individuals with Huntington Disease in being able to access medical appointments, attend support groups etc by distributing tickets that we have received from this program.

Please accept my sincere thanks as being one of the DONATE A RIDE agencies chosen to receive tickets.

Sally Vincent
Director
Huntington Disease Resource Centre
 

On behalf of Ben Calf Robe Society, thank you so much for the tickets from your DONATE A RIDE program. Our programs will make good use of the tickets giving them out to clients in need.

Laura Vinson
Co-Executive Director
Ben Calf Robe Society

Thank you for your work in supporting the people in our city struggling to make ends meet.  DONATE A RIDE for The Mustard Seed means that people can get to doctor’s appointments, get their food depot groceries home, meet with their children in care, and attend important family gatherings such as funerals and weddings.  The bus tickets, something so small, regularly make people’s day.

Thank you for your continued support of The Mustard Seed through DONATE A RIDE.  Thank you that we can be of service to you in the distribution of these tickets.

Carissa Halton
Hospitality Coordinator
The Mustard Seed
 

Dear Friends,
WINGS would like to thank you for selecting us once again this year for the DONATE A RIDE program! The 150 adult and 100 youth books of tickets will be able to accommodate our clients in going to medical, lawyer and psychologist appointments. As well, they will be able to go grocery shopping, look for housing and visit friends and family for support. It is so important that we can be part of this program because of the financial situation most of our clients are in. When families move into WINGS, more often than not they have nothing, not even change for bus fare. Being able to provide these families with bus tickets gives a sense of relief that they can save at lest $2.50 and put it towards rent or the next grocery and/or medication purchase.

WINGS is a second chance shelter that provides long term housing for women with children who have experienced family violence. There are 20 fully furnished, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. The families stay at WINGS for 6 months and during this time they attend programming, which involves group and individual counselling. Topics discussed in group help to foster parenting and life skills, as well as help mothers understand and better cope with family violence. Kids group and youth programming discuss topics such as self-esteem, the family and feelings. It also allows the children and youth to participate in activities and enjoy special outings. Fore more information about our facility and programs, please visit our website for more information.

WINGS thrives because of our generous donors. Thank you again for choosing us as one of the agencies to be part of this wonderful program! Your kindness is greatly valued and allows WINGS to move closer to breaking the cycle of family violence.

Sincerely,
Patricia Garrett
Executive Director
 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff and members of the Edmonton Epilepsy Association and most importantly individuals living with epilepsy themselves – please accept my most sincere thanks for your recent letter advising that the Edmonton Epilepsy Association will receive adult tickets through the DONATE A RIDE program. Our clients access these tickets for many reasons but all because they have limited financial resources. Whether they need to see their doctor or neurologist, purchase groceries, pick up their medications, volunteer at a non-profit organization or simply connect with friends for a social outing, the DONATE A RIDE program allows people with epilepsy to meet their daily needs and enjoy the many benefits of our city. Thank you for your leadership in the DONATE A RIDE program. Your work in making transportation accessible is much appreciated.

Terri Lynn Almeda
Executive Director
Edmonton Epilepsy Association
 

Thank you for selecting The Salvation Army ARC Edmonton as a recipient in the DONATE A RIDE program. We sincerely appreciate the support you are giving to the work that we do.

At the Salvation Army Addictions & Rehabilitation Services, we provide shelter, meals and programs for men & women who come to us for help. In 2008 we will have provided over 250,000 meals and accommodations for an average of 230 people each night.
We are only able to provide these much needed services because of your willingness to partner with us. Because of this partnership we are able to make a difference in the lives of those in our community who are facing significant and difficult challenges.

Thank you for your support and God Bless!

W. Mark Stanley – Captain
Executive Director
 

I would like to thank you on behalf of the Native Counselling Services of Alberta and all of our clients that we serve. The DONATE A RIDE Committee has been instrumental in allowing us to serve our clients in a more holistic manner.

For many clients that we serve, the tickets are an invaluable service being offered to them. One of the biggest challenges that the clients face is transportation to and from an appointment. When one misses and appointment, the repercussions can very seriously affect the client, his/her family and, even as far the community.

The tickets also provide the clients with a sense of power as they are able to get their meetings/appointments on their own.

To the uninvolved individual this may not seem like such a big stepping stone, but to the individual who has no money, no mode of transportation, this is indeed a huge windfall of blessings

You have made a huge difference in many people’s lives.

Rocky Ward
Youth Support Worker
Native Counselling Services of Alberta
 

The DONATE A RIDE program creates immediate solutions for our young people’s transportation issues. Because of DONATE A RIDE, our youth workers are able to eliminate a transportation barrier for the troubled teens they are trying to help. Attending school, appointments (medical counseling, etc), work interviews are only a sample of the reasons the children at the Youth Emergency Shelter Society need access to this essential transportation.

Debi Cautley
Executive Director
Youth Emergency Shelter Society
 

We would like to extend our gratitude on behalf of the children and families we serve, for being selected as a DONATE A RIDE agency. The tickets provided will be of great benefit to this community. The community we serve is among the lowest income neighborhoods in the city, and poverty is a contributing factor to isolation and the inability to access services. The transit tickets will allow our families to get to doctor and dentist appointments, job interviews, to the Food Bank as well as other important destinations.

Kiann McNeill, Manager
Norwood Child and Family Centre
 

On behalf of the clients and staff of Excel Society, I would like to thank the City of Edmonton for your generous donation of tickets. Your contribution allows individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity to become more involved in their community by providing transportation and access to work placements, volunteer activities, social/recreational activities and participation in community events.

Words cannot express the gratitude of the recipients. You allow them to become active members in their community.

Sharon L. Read
President/CEO
Excel Society